My grandma complains that her legs hurt and that she has trouble getting up. About three years ago, she received physical therapy while in assisted living and she did very well with it. I was thinking that maybe she needs therapy again since she's complaining so much about not being able to do things and everything being hard. If she can't get up and walk without help, she may have to go back into assisted living and she does not want to.
My thinking is that if she starts out with outpatient therapy once or twice a week for a month, then maybe we can stop and I can help her do therapy at home a few times a week. I figure it's better to start with professional help in case there are issues.
Do you all think it will help? Any suggestions?
Is this the first time she's had leg pain? Did she have physical therapy for leg pain previously?
At this point, you don't know what's CAUSING the pain. A trip to the doc might tell what's causing the pain. If it's disc, vertebral problems
or siatica nerve pain, it will be difficult to treat in someone your grandmother's age. Also, the leg pain could be from other causes (muscular, vascular (restricted blood flow), lack of certain nutrients, etc.
Since she had a good recovery with the last go round with PT, you might want to ask the MD for a referral for evaluation.
Has your grandma had back or hip Xrays recently? Does she have diagnosed osteoporosis or take a medication for osteoporosis?
Your thought for PT for the exercises is a good one. Providing everything is OK for her to exercise, Grandma will have to be real motivated to see any change.
Some say they want to get better but they don't have the energy to exercise.
How long has she been unable to stand? The longer she has been unable, the more difficult it is going to be to return to it.
She's 92. Your expectations need to be in line with her age group and pre-existing conditions.